FAQ

WHY CHOOSE SMARTSTORE?

Simply, you want to make more money, improve your customer experience, and make your organization more efficient.

WHAT IS SMARTSTORE?

SmartStore is the only complete solution on the market that focuses on reducing operational inefficiency across the enterprise by combining hosted software, consultants, and accountability. SmartStore defines Negative Sales Activity as employee behavior, whether it be theft, policy violation, poor training, or even laziness at the transactional level (Point of Sale) that has an adverse impact on the company. We mitigate these activities.

HOW DO WE ACHIEVE LASTING SUCCESS?

Our system constantly targets the bottom 20% of your employees who cause 80% of the problems. Since most retailers have turnover issues of 75% to 200%, our system consistently provides the solution in minutes per day to mitigate these issues in Operations, Loss Prevention, and General Store Operations.

WHY ARE WE DIFFERENT?

Our solution takes POS exceptions and uniquely correlates them into an action plan that mitigates poor behavior. Where other POS exceptions base systems target and measure these behaviors we additionally, through Advisor 360°, enable the store or department manager to have the easy ability to impact results continually and consistently.

IS THERE A CAPITAL EXPENSE?

We operate as a web-based Service-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform that has all needed costs included in a monthly fee.

WHAT ARE THE ADDITIONAL COSTS?

For individual consulting projects our team can do this on a cost-effective basis but this is not necessary for 99% of our customers.

WHAT ARE THE "RISKS"?

SmartStore will implement any test for a minimal, refundable investment. We offer an unheard of industry-changing guarantee that, if we do not meet or exceed the predefined trial results, the trial will cost ZERO.

WHAT'S THE JUSTIFICATION FOR AN ASSET MANAGER OR LP EXECUTIVE TO CHANGE THEIR CURRENT PRODUCT?

MONEY! SmartStore is proactive where current products are reactive. SmartStore mitigates the dollars between your actual amount of cashier related theft and the small amount of cases you currently get. We measure and prove our value.

WHAT'S THE LINK BETWEEN EXCEPTIONS FOR LP AND STORE OPERATIONS?

The key is they offer opportunity for both but is looked at from two entirely different perspectives. A simple example is excessive voids. In the world of LP this can indicate theft. In the world of operations it can indicate poor customer service. This activity generally creates 4x to 6x longer check out times which leads to a lesser customer experience. This can cost current and future sales opportunities. Advisor 360° is the key to mitigating this.

DOES SMARTSTORE CREATE A LOT OF WORK FOR MANAGEMENT?

To the contrary, SmartStore takes a fraction of time to achieve multiples of the results.

WHAT IS A SMART REPORT?

A Smart Report is a very directed communication that identifies and measures a violation, has a simple one minute or less standardized training or retraining solution, and has closed loop accountability so you know it is done. A Smart Report trains in minutes with accountability so that you see how your entire organization is performing.

WHY SHOULD A HOSTED SOLUTION INTEREST ME OR MY COMPANY?

An installed software solution has ongoing costs of maintaining the hardware and software, on top of the cost of initial implementation. Additionally, if you want to upgrade to a newer version, it’s always an IT project, which can take months to complete. With our hosted solution, you require no hardware or software, need only nominal IT resources to support, and are guaranteed to always be running the most current version.

HOW LONG UNTIL I CAN BE LIVE?

SmartStore can have your organization up and running in as little as four weeks.

WHAT IS A FULL PRE-SALE IMPLEMENTATION?

If you provide us with historical data and a daily transaction log feed, SmartStore will stand up your full organization before any purchase decision is required. No longer do you have to rely on someone else’s case study.

CAN I CONTINUE TO USE MY EXISTING SOLUTION WHILE YOU “GO LIVE”?

Yes. SmartStore can run parallel to your existing solution and operational practices as we operate outside your IT environment. We guarantee parity to your existing solution while showing more users additional value with no risk.

HOW LONG HAS SMARTSTORE BEEN AROUND?

WHO MAKES UP THE SMARTSTORE CUSTOMERS BASE?

SmartStore has Tier 1 (1,500+ stores), Tier 2, and Tier 3 Grocery clients, ranging from conglomerates to single location owners. SmartStore has Specialty Retail Clients. SmartStore has Convenience store clients, including gasoline. SmartStore has Quick Service Restaurant clients from single store franchisees to multi-unit owners. Our clients are found globally. Our existing customer base proves that the SmartStore solution can accommodate any business, regardless of size, needs, or product sold. SmartStore works around the clock with customers around the world, in different currencies and languages, including Spanish. We challenge you to find another provider with that level of flexibility.

WHAT ABOUT DATA SECURITY?

We can provide you with a third party PCI DSS v1.2 compliance audit to prove how secure our solution is. Most exception based loss prevention software providers have not completed PCI compliance audits, leaving you and your credit card data exposed. We have gone through rigorous outside audits to achieve PCI certification over multiple years. Additionally, SmartStore has a host of physical, electronic, process, and personnel security procedures in our offices and in our data center.

WHO CAN USE SMARTSTORE IN MY COMPANY?

Since SmartStore is hosted, anyone can be allowed to access the SmartStore solution without restriction as long as they have the right permissions. As for users any group such as Operations, HR, Finance, Marketing, Strategy, and Loss Prevention can personalize it to meet their individual job needs. The system has full permissions control regarding who and what can be seen. Our user-friendly interface eliminates the need for power users, resulting in a reduction of analyst bottlenecks.

I ALREADY HAVE A LOSS PREVENTION SOLUTION, WHY SWITCH TO SMARTSTORE?

SmartStore focuses on reducing operational inefficiencies and identifying revenue generating opportunities. We go beyond traditional LP solutions or methodologies. We do believe LP is important, but preventing loss in all of its many forms is even more so. Our methodology continuously creates value for your organization.

HOW WOULD OTHERS IN MY ORGANIZATION BENEFIT FROM SMARTSTORE?

SmartStore’ ease of use doesn't limit your company to a small group of Power Users or Analysts, allowing more operators access to the valuable data. The following are a few examples of what a particular operating group could see:

Operations - Measure productivity of your associates (Sales per Man Hour, Items per Minute, Drawer Open Time, Sales Per Customer) based on your own unique goals and standards.

HR - Measure new cashiers and the time it takes them to get to the competency level of your veteran associates (Time to Competency). Identify training needs immediately during their probationary period.

Marketing - Measure the execution of a promotion or coupon at the store level. Be alerted on the first day of a promotion/coupon if it is not being executed properly - not after the promotion is over.

IT - Identify Point of Sales systems issues and configuration problems immediately, so action can be taken to correct the exposure in POS.

HOW DOES SMARTSTORE LIMIT ME?

We do not have limitations like most exception based software providers. No limits on: number of users, number of stores, types of POS, number or types of data feeds, number or ability to create new KPI’s (Key Performance Indicators), historical data storage, user support.

WHAT ABOUT VIDEO?

SmartStore can easily integrate almost any video platform at no additional cost.

ARE THERE ANY EXTRA OR HIDDEN COSTS?

DOES SMARTSTORE FREE UP INTERNAL RESOURCES?

SmartStore actually frees up resources on multiple fronts. We eliminate the bottleneck at the Power User, creating higher output and greater efficiency for the enterprise. Also, users are no longer dependent on IT, so it frees up their valuable and costly resources as SmartStore provides the technical and operational support.

HOW DOES SMARTSTORE AFFECT GIFT CARDS?

SmartStore can track gift card issuance, as well as redemption. The high dollar amount that these items normally represent makes them critical items to track. Opportunities exist for fraud and misuse, which SmartStore can detect. If it’s a training issue we can pinpoint those in need of counseling with resolution tracking.

HOW DOES SMARTSTORE RAISE SALES USING GIFT CARDS?

SmartStore not only identifies the associates that are not up to standard but trains them to become profitable. The average gift card, depending on the retail sector, can produce approximately 1.5x to 2.5x of the amount of the gift card in sales.

HOW DOES SMARTSTORE AFFECT REFUNDS?

Refunds may provide theft opportunities to a select number of dishonest cashiers. Cash refunds have historically been one the most preferred methods of retail theft by cashiers. In addition to dishonesty, haste and the lack of follow through with established procedures can also lead to shrink. Operational inefficiencies can be identified through the trending of refunds (which items, why?). SmartStore tracks refunds by item, category, department, cashier, etc., thus identifying patterns of dishonesty or opportunities for operational improvement down to the individual cashier with resolution tracking.

HOW DOES SMARTSTORE AFFECT COUPONS AND PROMOTIONS?

Coupons and related promotions have always been a means to increase sales. However, if not executed properly (follow redemption rules, buy associated product, etc.) they can lead to significant markdowns that deplete the bottom line. SmartStore tracks coupon redemption by item, category, department, cashier, thus identifying patterns of dishonesty or opportunities for operational improvement down to the individual cashier with resolution tracking.

CAN SMARTSTORE ADDRESS PROBLEMS WITH MANAGER OVERRIDES?

SmartStore tracks manager numbers and overrides to identify instances where permission was given to complete a critical transaction (refund, void, cancel, etc.). Overrides are a normal course of business, but SmartStore can detect unusual or potentially malicious behavior and help to deter such actions down to the individual manager with resolution tracking.

CAN SMARTSTORE DETECT AN OPEN DRAWER?

SmartStore detects open drawers through no-sales by individuals, as well as how long the drawer was open and if a drawer alarm was activated, thus identifying patterns of dishonesty or opportunities for operational improvement down to the individual cashier with resolution tracking.

MY COMPANY HAS A HIGH LEVEL OF VOIDS. IS THAT NORMAL AND IF NOT, HOW DO I ADDRESS THIS ISSUE?

Transactions containing a high value of voided items may be a strong indication of dishonesty, as well as instances where an item is scanned and then immediately voided. This could also be an indication of poor practices related to price changes or product placement. SmartStore tracks voids and error corrects by item, category, department, cashier, etc., thus identifying patterns of dishonesty or opportunities for operational improvement down to the individual cashier with resolution tracking.

HOW DO CANCELLED TRANSACTIONS AFFECT MY BUSINESS? CAN SMARTSTORE HELP?

SmartStore can track frequency and dollar amounts of transactions that were canceled mid-stream and never completed. These transactions (and reason codes associated with them) allow for operational inefficiencies to be isolated and corrected, leading to the successful completion of the sale.

CAN SMARTSTORE DETECT SWEETHEARTING?

Yes. SmartStore has developed a proprietary process for determining transactions in which Sweethearting may be taking place. This capability is included in your solution at no extra cost.

ISN’T SMARTSTORE ONLY AN EXCEPTION BASED REPORTING TOOL?

No, we are not. SmartStore is a full solution that provides powerful analytics by delivering trend, comparative, and statistical analysis supported by a team of Retail Operational Consultants embedded in the subscription, identifying operational inefficiency.

HOW SHOULD I VIEW NEGATIVE SALES ACTIVITY?

Negative Sales Activity is a cancer perpetrated on your business which, if not addressed, leeches away revenue and can become terminal. However, the detection and limitation of Negative Sales Activity is a great opportunity to increase your bottom line. SmartStore is here to do just that.